Statement from Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw Regarding Guilty Verdict in Gregory Wayne Maxwell Trial

Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------“On behalf of the men and women of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, we are certainly very pleased with the verdict handed down today by the jury in the Gregory Wayne Maxwell trial.  Mr. Maxwell will be held accountable for the crimes he committed in the shooting of Corporal Lucas Watts, and for five other Deputy Sheriff’s that he also tried to kill on November 16^th, 2023.  His actions have, and will, affect the lives of many for the rest of their lives, especially Lucas and his family.”

“There are so many great men, women, and agencies to thank that have walked with us since that fateful day in November of 2023.  I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office for their tremendous efforts and for being great partners with us.  I want to congratulate 10^th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black, and his team at the 10^th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, for the great job they did in prosecuting this case and securing the guilty verdict against Mr. Maxwell.  For the jurors who gave their time in performance of their civic duty, we thank you for listening and following the evidence so closely in court.”

“For those medical professionals who provided medical treatment and care for Lucas during his recovery, God has blessed you with tremendous talents and skills to heal.  You used those gifts to save a father and spouse so Lucas could be here with his family today.  For our Deputies, and other law enforcement officers who testified, thank you for your professionalism on the stand as you testified regarding the events that happened that day.  Most importantly, we want to give thanks to God as ultimately the battle was not ours, but His, and He and His truth have been on our side since the very beginning.”

“Finally, to the men and women of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, the last two and one-half years have been a time of great tragedy, but also a time of great triumphs as well, as we have seen God perform many miracles.  Let us also remember that God has, and will, provide us the strength to carry on and persevere in our assigned duties and in our lives too.  Let us always remember Psalm 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (KJV)